THAI TRADITIONAL MEDICINE, REMEDY FOR DYSMENORRHEA
Abstract
Menstruation is normal cyclical physiologic change in reproductive women. The most common complaint of menstruation is dysmenorrhea. It can be without cause called primary dysmenorrhea or with organic cause as secondary dysmenorrhea. Threating the unknown cause in primary dysmenorrhea is only symptomatic treatment. Many modalities are used for pain relief. NSAID is the main medication. Hormonal treatment, complimentary medicine and alternative medicine are the options. Thai traditional medicine has the remedy for dysmenorrhea, too. It called Pra-Sa-Plai in the Thai National List of Essential Medicines. It is the combination of 12 herbal products. They have mixed effect on anti-inflammation, analgesic, decrease platelets aggregation, vasodilatation, increase circulation and muscle relaxation. Plai, Zingiber cassumunar is the major component as half of the remedy. The others are citrus skin, dumort, garlic, red onion, pepper seed, long pepper, dry ginger, zedoary, black candle, rock salt and camphor. This remedy has many preparations such as powder, tablet or capsule. It should to be taken three times a day from 2-3 days prior to menstruation and continuously until the second day of menstruation. The efficacy is comparable with NSAID, the current standard treatment of Gynecologist.